Siddu to hold mega rally in Badami to prove clout

Shyam Sundar Vattam|NT
Bengaluru

While KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar has resolved to organise a rally in connection with Azaadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav on a grand-scale in Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah is planning a mega rally in Badami Town of Bagalkote district in the second week of August. The rallies are seen as a show of strength by the two leaders who are vying for the CM post. Shivakumar has reportedly been told by AICC President Sonia Gandhi to take out a rally which will have an unprecedented impact by involving thousands of people from all over the state.

The Kanakapura MLA has planned a rally from Basavanagudi upto Freedom Park where a big public function is planned. Already, each block Congress president has been asked to undertake a padayatra for 75 km in their respective blocks as part of the 75th anniversary of the country’s independence. Shivakumar wants to make it a memorable event to showcase his strength in the party. On similar lines, fans of Siddaramaiah have organised a rally as part of Azaadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav in Badami, his constituency in Bagalkote district between August 8 and 13.

Instructions have been issued to involve more people in this rally to portray the strength of Siddu in the North Karnataka region. A week prior to this, friends of Siddaramaiah are holding a big function in connection with his 75th birthday celebrations in Davangere on August 3 for which arrangements are going on in full swing.

Several committees have been constituted to make the function a big success as it is seen as a programme to project Siddaramaiah as the next CM. The former CM to showcase his might, has invited several Delhi leaders too for the event. Party leaders and workers caught in the crossfire and definitely a worried lot.